5 Feb 2015

Injury Update: After Bolton cameo, Rodgers admits that Daniel Sturridge is not 'fully fit' yet

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge continued his comeback from injury with another brief appearance last night against Bolton, and after the game Reds boss Brendan Rodgers provided an update on the prolific progress towards full match fitness.

When asked about Sturridge's fitness levels, Rodgers told reporters:

"When he's fully fit, he [Sturridge] plays. It's as simple as that.

"He's not at that stage yet, but...he is getting there every day. It's just managing that game time.

"He's a top talent [and] he's a great player for us at the moment to come off the bench"


Rodgers' management of Sturridge's return is spot-on so far. With Liverpool in great form, there's no pressing need to start him yet, which is a massive boost considering how dramatically the striker's absence affected the club earlier in the season.

In my view, Sturridge should also start on the bench against Everton this weekend. The Merseyside Derby is always a very physical encounter, and it might be beneficial for him to sit out the always-frenetic first 45 minutes, and then come on in the second half.

Like me, I'm sure there are many fans out there who grimace every time Sturridge is involved in anything physical on the pitch. With his horrific injury history, it's probably just a matter of time before something else happens, and as much as I want to be optimistic about the future, I fully expect Sturridge to be back on the sidelines before the end of the season.

Hopefully, I'll be proven wrong.

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104 comments:

  1. Maybe the previous medical staff had a lot to do with his injury problems. They were booted out by Henry a short while ago.

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  2. He should definitely start on the bench on Saturday. If we were in bad form, I would have voted 'Yes' but I think with the current momentum and Everton's miserable season, we have every chance of winning the game without his full involvement. In fact, I think apart from Chelsea and Arsenal away...all other fixtures are absolutely winnable.

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  3. On the side note, every time when Gerrard plays deep, people say he is finished. He is 35 and should be given free role as a no.10, only then he can have some impact. BR could have used Gerrard much better in last 12 months.

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  4. The next four games are tough, and critical to our top four chances, so it might be tempting to rush him back into the starting eleven. But the derby, where he's likely to have lumps kicked out of him, is obviously not the time to do it. The old cliche is that the form book goes out of the window for the derby, but Everton have been terrible defensively (34 goals conceded), so I would hope we have enough in attack to beat them without relying on a man who's thigh muscles are the most fragile material known to science.

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  5. BR doesn't have the vision for that. He was bullied to start with SG & found only spot as DM. This is where I feel BR is a trainer, rather than Manager - of all the positions, SG can be fit into a striker, winger, CM, AM, even a winger; but I don't think he is tight, structured & disciplined enough to play as DM.

    For last 12 months, only spot I found for SG was a back up of Coutinho - play for last 35 minutes & sometimes start for 60 minutes. But, I guess BR is too little for challengng that status co.

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  6. To be fair to him, he hasn't really ever got injured by being crunched on the pitch. God knows what he gets up to in training though.

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  7. Daniel Coutinho 237:38 am, February 05, 2015

    Last 4 months!
    Last season i would not put him in an advanced position over the attack that beat Everton 4-0 ,Arsenal 5-1 . Suarez,Sturridge,Coutinho,Sterling.

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  8. He probably plays twister

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  9. sturridge? will last up to end of February maybe.
    we need a full time striker but oops.........the transfer market is closed already.
    maybe next time friends if the owners do get some extra funds by June.

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  10. Gerrard could have chipped in as well. And we wouldn't have lost that slippery match against Chelsea.

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  11. Looks like the owners decided to keep what we have, Coutinho new contract, and Sterling about to improve his.
    Remember it costs a fortune to pay these players,I have to say I love the style we play under Rodgers, if the begrudgers on here get their way and he is replaced, by whom, what do we want to see, beautiful football, or clinical dont dare to lose football, for me its the former everyday of the week.

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  12. Sturridge needs a bit more time and playing him off the bench is the best option right now. I would also like to mention that I think the team looked fragile in midfield without Lucas protecting the defense - IMO Allen is not capable of playing that role

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  13. For me, Studge is a luxury, its great when he is fit, but I never expect to see him as a regular.

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  14. For playing under Roy Hodson

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  15. Why can't you demand both? Good football and good results?

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  16. Yes, but keep the style thats all,
    under a new Manager, which would be Klinsman IMO,
    its a park the bus job.

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  17. I never said that Chelsea game decided the season. I think bad refereeing during our away fixture vs. Man City was one of the key reasons. Another reason was bad defence due to absence of DM. Gerrard would have contributed in the attacking role as he always does whenever he plays there. Maybe not full match....but 60 min or coming off the bench.

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  18. Lol, why would it be Klinsman? American connection?

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  19. Backpass,??? assist more like it.

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  20. nonsense mate. 1 game doesnt decide a season. what about the 1-1 draw away to west brom - Toure's backpass. Drawing away to Newcastle with them down to 10 men. Gerrard hasnt got the legs to play up front, id rather 90mins playing DM than 30mins playing AMF

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  21. Wasn't Allen playing Henderson's role and Gerrard Lucas' role? Either way, both are incapable of playing that roles effectively.

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  22. Till Tuesday Coutinho was supposed to be Modric/Kroos....after yesterday, he is our new Suarez.

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  23. Agree, BR makes some of the very obvious mistakes all the time.

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  24. Oh man when I saw the headline I thought he was injured again!

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  25. 6 really tricky games on the spin hopefully by the 3rd he will be starting- small club will deliberately target him and try to ruin the rest of our season so give him 20 mins unless needed - BTW how good is Emre Can

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  26. He looked injured yesterday and did not have the fluency vs WHU....hope he is not injured again.... I know he is recovering but yesterday's performance of Daniel is what I expected vs WHU.

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  27. Emre? World clas... Now 120 mill spent seem much more justified...

    By the way- the final is on May 30th... which just happens to be Gerrard's 35th birthday- didn't know that...

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  28. You do Klinsmann a disservice there. He's much more expansive than that.

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  29. He'd run a lot more at DM wouldn't he?

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  30. Why can't I make a pay pal that can recieve money in my country? It is your fault you.. Aarghh!!! Kiddin, just had to complain..

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  31. It's Glen Johnsons fault : )

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  32. Really didn't see Lovren doing something big here...

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  33. At a perfect football club with a perfect management system that would have been Joe Allen's final appearance last night. We can forgive players lack of talent if they make up for it with a bit of aggression but Joe falls short every time. Go home Joe, Swansea need you.

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  34. He's a beast yet really graceful and coming forward looks unstoppable - pity Lovren hasn't stepped up

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  35. He's not even making the bench now - I think unless Can gets injured he won't play again this season- Toure will get the nod over him too

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  36. As one of the pundits said, the first game back you run purely on adrenaline, after that is a slower comeback but a comeback nevertheless. He is a definite off the bench player on Saturday!

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  37. He drew 2 fouls that got the guy sent off but otherwise zilch - Swansea won't even want him back but for some strange reason BR loves him- man he frustrates the hell out of me

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  38. I think the Bolton lad thought fouls on Allen dont count

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  39. He had some average moments against a 'small' club- he can be a squad player to rest our mids that will be tired as hell in March. And if you have Stuzza up front with say Ibe- it won't matter he doesn't offer enough for CL level...

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  40. I just dont like to see players staying in their comfort zone at my club, taking the p**s

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  41. Probably.. Shame Rossiter got injured, would be interesting would he made the bench or maybe even starting line up..

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  42. Oops lap top reacting as slow as Allen

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  43. New meaning to the ' Blue screen of Death '

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  44. My point was, he never does. Not when it's needed either.

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  45. Lots of commentators seem to think he is learning the role of striker quite quickly. Emile even said that last night and praised the runs he made and Henry said the striking of a ball will come with time.


    He took the goal well enough too and was unlucky to hit the post. I'll settle for a goal or two every game from any trainee striker ;-)

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  46. You guys can defend BR as much as you want but he consistently makes 'obvious' mistakes.

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  47. But do we have all the facts to say that the mistakes are obvious or that an alternative option would have been better at that time?

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  48. I always apply the same logic to Sakho. People bemoan how gangly and awkward his style looks, but as long as he gets the job done, who cares?

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  49. The more I see the more I like apart from the odd mistake and tendency to do a backheel turn which brings me out in a cold sweat.

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  50. I agree, Sturridge should start on the bench and be an impact sub until he is fully fit.


    I also think Ibe should be given a chance at some point during this game, we need lack directness at times and he gives us that with his purposeful runs.


    I dream of a front 3 of Sterling, Sturridge and Ibe.

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  51. He He. To be fair you have a point sometimes I cringe when I hear BR talk and I cannot always understand some of his selections but overall I have to say he's doing OK and still going in a direction I like ;-)

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  52. I'm also gradually starting to think the same about Sterling. When he scuffs a shot or makes a wrong decision, it's very easy to forget how young he is. I know that amidst the adrenaline of watching a game, I easily forget that too. But despite those flaws, he indeed does play himself in to a lot of great positions. Henry would definitely know, he was a striker convert himself. With time spent on shooting drills, and experience, Raheem will very possibly become a lot more composed, and that will impact on his shooting and decision making.

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  53. My point is that his side-footed finish against Bolton isn't the best example to use to stress your point.

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  54. Can could play as DM, start with Lovren at the back. Mistakes never pays off....just hides temporarily.
    .
    But I think you are right. BR can do no wrong. He did the best he could with the available resources. BR is a genius.

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  55. By all accounts appears to be a serious injury, big shame for him.

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  56. Yeah, but I live with his mistakes because everything else he does is really good

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  57. Emre Can showed his long term position is midfield, not defence. He's a good defender against the mid-table teams, but I agree with Nicol in that he struggles against the big boys.

    So, following on from that, do we put Toure into Can's position when he's back from Africa? Because I really don't trust Lovren at the moment. Our defence is finally looking solid and I don't want that spoiled.

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  58. seem to make the best LFC players, too many to mention. Ross Barkley is a kopite BTW

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  59. Show the good side on Sat, nice gesture for the 96 from Kenwright. JFT96

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  60. Hopefully, waiting for swelling to go down. Local lad making it thru the ranks will be a big lift for all involved.

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  61. I also think he blocks up young players like Rossiter coz Rodgers has to give him undeserved game time , hoping he comes good to justify the transfer fee.

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  62. I have a feeling he is going to be one more of the so herald "next Steven Gerrard" to fall short.

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  63. It's difficult to run when you're " stiff". I thought I'd say it before Ash ;-)

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  64. But another blu, by the way...

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  65. Name me anyone who does things that doesn't make mistakes. There are only a few of us ;-)

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  66. Shame Rossiter gonna be out for quite a while

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  67. If we keep the formation, push Can forward with Toure in when he rests, and if we switch- Skrtel Sakho- again Can forward...

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  68. If they average a goal or two every game, then I don't care how flawed their ball striking is.

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  69. Yeah, me neither, but me thinks he genuinly thought he can make it at that level with BR...

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  70. He didn't need to power it in with an instep, he was hitting an over-the-shoulder volley 5 yards out? I would have done the same

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  71. I'm a having a quietly confident feeling about the future of Sterling, Ibe, Sturridge, Can and co in the team. We need to keep them all together.

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  72. A lot of wingers get converted into strikers so I think it might be case with Sterling. The only thing is that he is not that great in the air ( I'm quite proud of my air abilities haha) but I've bee impressed with Sterling.


    Also, Can...Man...I don't want to overpraise him but I've been really impressed with him.


    I think that Lovren will cement his place as a CB soon and Can will move to CM. He is much more fluent and technically gifted than Lucas and he actually goes forward all the time.

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  73. Emre Can ! - says it all really

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  74. So true...he does give me a fright at least 2x every game but he is great!

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  75. Agree that Can would be great in midfield, he looked good there last night against Bolton. But he, Skrtel and Sakho are our best back three right now by a mile. I think it would be a mistake to bring Lovren back in at this point, maybe give him another chance in europa league to prove himself, although even then, champions league place is up for grabs for the winner isn't it? So maybe not!

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  76. Tim is sublime in the air...but no one can compare to Mario Jardel in the air...youtube him....Porto legend.

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  77. I was just talking about this Bolton match.

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  78. Me too.


    I still think Hendo needs to offer more to the team. He strikes me more a Darren Fletcher type of player than a Steven Gerrard...don't get me wrong...both good players but didn't excel in anything particularly.

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  79. His aerial abilities will come with practice. He needs to get some advice from Tim Cahill about that.

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  80. Fa cup trophy is for me bigger than Europa. And we should be confident on finishing top 4. If we don't that means that we do not have the quality to win Europa, so...

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  81. Tim's Aussie, I'm Aussie, therefore you have no argument.

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  82. He definitely needs to sharpen up his shooting.

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  83. It's really easy throwing out counterfactual histories. Truth is for the most part Gerrard did well in the pivot for the most part last season his passing from deep was one of the reasons the diamond worked. You wouldn't have gotten that from Lucas or any other of our mids. The mistake was playing hin there this season when the movement and passing wasn't there in front of him. A mistake which Rodgers is still making on the odd occasion. Gerrard last night didn't show much in either position and has shown inconsistent form as a ten when played there. His form this season hasn't matched lasts.

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  84. This just in, stop what your doing and read this, this is big big and surprising news....BR chats bubbles! That is all.

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  85. Never failed one though has he. Of we are determined to bring it out then we have to surprise the opposition occasionally. Of he gets a couple wrong I will want him to stop.

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  86. Man have you seen what is happening at Dortmund? Madness.


    The players went to speak to the fans after the game and the fans let them know they were not happy.


    I really like Dortmund.

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  87. I shall not get dragged into this haha!!!

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  88. Still 15 points off Cl spot.. Do you think they can make it?

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  89. Watch how our defence looks worse if Can moves. We need better players on the ball in those wide positions and Toure is too inconsistent and prone to blaming the ball under the slightest pressure. Apparently had a good ACN though.

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  90. I like the idea of your captain being yhe most sacrificial player on the team. Gives him the right to bollock everyone who is not trying hard enough. He is also very vocal. We have gotten used to the capo being the best player but that's not necessarily the best option.

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  91. Not done anything for a while then picked up where he left off. His legs were probably a touch heavy. He will be a bit better on sat.

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  92. Is there ANY projection of how much longer will Flanno be absent?

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  93. Agree that Stevie G was influential from that position as well. But that was only when opposition gave him time on the ball. When they pressed, Stevie G couldn't cope and we use to leak goals.

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  94. Sturridge being in the dressing room for matchdays seems to have lifeted the whole squad, they know they have a real matchwinner available if needed. Reading through the posts, it seems that some people haven't got over the fact that Gerrard is leaving in the summer. Well, he will be 35 in May. You watch TV and all you hear is "how are Liverpool going to cope?" from every pundit, and "he's GOT to play". Well, watching him recently, he doesn't look his old sprightly self. Injuries and longevity in the game seem to be playing their part. He could hardly keep up with Gudjohnsen when chasinfg back in the game last night. Even last season Gerrard still had a fair turn of pace. He's probably carrying an injury, because I can't see how he's lost that much speed. Problem for Brendan Rodgers has been how to accommodate Gerrard in a team that plays a high pressing game. 5 years ago that wouldn't have been a problem, but now Gerrard is in the twilight of his career and he hasn't got the energy to do that for a full season of games as he did previously. Also don't forget we had early exits in the cups last year and no European football. We've played almost as many games now as we did last season. Basically, if Liverpool are to move forwards, then SteveiG made the right decision for himself and the club. People who can't accept that just have to get over it and move on.

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  95. Agreed but that was partly due to our own pressing. When we had the ball the opposition were sat back because we were able to attack so quickly as we. Old get a turn over even if they won the ball. That is my point is that hanging the personel from a winning formula can be bigger than we expect.

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  96. with 15 more games to go im sure they'll be safe at the very least.

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  97. the thing is you could put a five year old in charge of liverpool give him 200m and there would be a good chance he would do okay .....when a manager is paid millions at liverpool and is given the resources rodgers has okay is the very very minimum requirement

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  98. gerrard and allen where woefull in midfield against bolton last night

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  99. spot on chirag ....rodgers does some things well and some things poor , listening to the rodgers apologists you would think he had dragged liverpool from non league to prem on a shoe string budget

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  100. I agree I still blame him for not doing that......;-)

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